MOMENTS OF CLARITY

MOMENTS OF CLARITY

In all of our lives, certain events provide an electric moment of clarity. They are unexpected, yet the power they contain keep us grounded and wondering what does it all mean. While I have had several, one moment that never leaves me is the first one I remember in my married life. I had always been a spiritual person so I was not surprised when it happened.

In 1955, we were living in the Panama Canal Zone on the post at Ft. Davis. We had only been married a few months.  I was 18, an officer's wife, and ready for whatever the world offered.  It was an extraordinary life for a welfare child to all of a sudden be living in a large home with a maid in a foreign country. My husband was in the army and since he was training to be a jungle expert, it meant I was alone a lot. That was not a problem for me for you feel very safe on an army base and officers wives stick together. (It's funny I should say that because I was stalked during our time there by a soldier I didn't know.)

Everything was new and there was an adventure everyday. I had to learn to cook, after my husband complained about the maid's cooking, but at least I didn't have to clean the house or do laundry. The women had bridge clubs, trips to close countries, bowling leagues, sewing clubs, teas, and parties. I even took classes at a branch of Louisiana State University as I had only finished two years of college and had promised my mother that I would finish college as no one in our family had a college degree.  I was to be the first.

Anyway, this was before a/c and our home on the base had screens that allowed a cool breeze to circulate throughout the space. It was late evening, I had finished dinner, and went to look out before going to bed.  I was standing by the screen, looking at the bright stars against a deep black night, thinking how peaceful I felt. I heard music from the NCO club and I could "see" people dancing to the music. I still remember the song I heard just before my moment.

Isn't it romantic?

Music in the night, a dream that can be heard.

Isn't it romantic?

Moving shadows write the oldest magic word.

I hear the breezes playing in the trees above

While all the world is saying you were meant for love.

Isn't it romantic?

Every note that's sung is like a lovers' kiss.

Sweet symbols in the moonlight,

Do you mean that I will fall in lover perchance?

Isn't it romantic?

I rocked to the music feeling serene, thinking how beautiful it all was, when all of a sudden a presence came to me and "told" me I was going to have a great life. It startled me but it didn't frighten me. It could only have happened if I were alone, yet I felt as if someone had wrapped his arms around me and held me close.   Whenever I hear that song, and I hear it in my mind everyday, I feel grateful that someone is watching over me.